Insecurity and Unemployment: The Rivers State Experience

This study investigated the correlation between insecurity and unemployment in Rivers State, Nigeria. In order to direct this study, four research questions, four objectives and four hypotheses were developed. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population of the study consisted of 1,714,189 unemployed residents of Rivers State. A total sample of 400 unemployed residents in Rivers State, aged 25 to 45 were used for this study. Stratified random sampling technique was employed for this study. The instrument titled "Unemployment and Insecurity Variables Questionnaire (UIVQ)" was used for data collection for the study. In order to establish the reliability of the instrument, Cronbach Alpha method was used, and the test yielded a coefficient index of α=0.87. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed that there was a strong and positive significant relationship between kidnapping, arm robbery, human trafficking, and cult-related activities and unemployment in Rivers State. It was therefore recommended that the government should diversify from oil to other industries that will boost employment prospects for young adults like agriculture, ICT, communication, manufacturing, etc. Also, that counsellors should engage the youths through seminars on the negative impact of crime and counsel the youths against syndrome of get rich quick without hard work.